Your Tutor
About John
It has been John's ambition to be a musician since he could talk, from the age 4 he started learning the violin, he then progressed on to other instruments; including trumpet, viola, piano. When he finished at school, he decided to master three of his favourite instruments Drums, Bass and Guitar, in which he started studying in year 7 at secondary school. Then he went onto Harlow College to study a BTEC HND IN Popular music, and then graduated to Leeds Music College, where he graduated with Hons with a Degree in Popular Music.
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John is a highly skilled tutor and musician, who has played in many professional and semi-professional bands, over the years. He is very experienced with live, recorded and composition on all instruments; Drums, Bass Guitar and Guitar.
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Brief History -
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Johns professional music career started in 1997, when he started working in holiday camps as a session player, on drums. Where he backed various artists including Bert Weedon and Susan Maughan. After a year working in holiday camps, John decided to move to cruise ship work, where he spend several years on different cruises playing drums, bass and guitar on different jobs. After several years on the boats, John decided that he wanted to leave cabaret work. For several years John played as a session drummer in various bands on a few short 6 month tours, taking him all over the world. After living out of a suitcase, and being a session player for several years, John decided to join a full-time pro band, so he could be more stable, so he entered the world of tribute bands. Where he played drums in bands in tribute to Happy Mondays, The Police and Sting, all over the country, and Europe, playing in venues, like The Astoria, The Wardrobe and The cavern and many festivals.
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Off and on, John was teaching on the side of full-time playing music, since he graduated from university. In 2003 decided to make teaching music a more full-time job, as it was one of his many musical passions, and more stable. As part of John's teaching experience, John taught underprivileged kids and problem kids (Circle Time) at Cockburn High School, Middleton, Leeds. Known as the 'Tweenagers Project'. The aim of the project to have a musical /theatre production, involving kids, in drama, performance and the band, the project ran about 2 years, and was highly successful getting kids back into school. He also taught music, performance and instrument tuition, at West Ardsley Youth Centre, Leeds. For a intergenerational local council project. Covering, all ages and beginner to Advanced level for several years, until the funding ran out. John has teaching full-time privately since 2003, gigging with various different bands over the years, at the weekends.
John currently, plays Lead Guitar in all Of The Above Rock Band, and does Deppping and Session work on Drums, Guitar and Bass as well. He has been teaching, and playing professionally over 25 years, with a long line of successful students, that have gone on to music college and become great musicians in their own right.
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John brings this wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching. He is proficient teaching beginners to advanced students. Experienced song writer and music score writer, John is an expert at improvisation, composition and theory.
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As a tutor, he is CRB checked, and has experience working with children with dyslexia, and learning difficulties, as well as children ages 6 to 18. John also has knowledge and experience with GCSE and A Level curriculums.
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Having issues with lessons during the day? As John is a full-time musician/ tutor, he is flexible with times, and on certain days mornings or afternoon lessons are possible. as John is Remote based (Zoom) he can teach anywhere at any time and has a very professional studio setup.
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John is an experienced teacher, and taught bass and Guitar as a Peri at Morley Academy for 9 years.
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As all good tutors, John is patient and adaptable to each student learning skills, and easily adapts to the individuals needs.
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He has had a loyal student base, for 23 years, and all have recommended him to their friends.
He has been described as a brilliant teacher, extremely focused and great musician.
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Please contact him to book your lesson now, to avoid disappointment.
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